International non-profit organisation The Climate Group has launched a new programme called China Redesign to help China’s cities achieve a low-carbon growth path.
Speaking at the launch in Beijing, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, said: “The decisions made and actions taken by China now will shape the course of the 21st Century.”
“As a nation, China has the opportunity to lead the world in the low-carbon economy, but China’s cities are where the foundations for green growth will be laid,” said Mr Blair, who is a supporter of The Climate Group.
China Redesign aims to help China achieve its emissions reduction target. The country has pledged to reduce its energy intensity by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by the year 2020.
Energy intensity, or carbon intensity, refers to the energy used per dollar of gross domestic product (GDP).
In its 12th Five Year Plan, first announced in October, China had set out a national energy intensity and emissions reduction target of 16 and 17 per cent respectively.
With a rapid urban growth rate, cities are key to China’s climate challenge. This brings challenges, but also enormous opportunities for Chinese cities and businesses, noted The Climate Group.
The organisation said it will work with five cities initially to create and execute a low-carbon growth plan over the next three years. It will also set up 10 demonstration projects for low-carbon solutions with policymakers, businesses, banks and experts.
These projects will showcase holistic solutions in renewable energy, urban planning, sustainable transport, green building and construction, energy management, project finance and green industrialisation.
Some local cities which have expressed interest in China Redesign, includes Guangdong Province, Guiyang City, Hangzhou City, Tianjin City, Wuhan City, Congqing City and Dezhou City.
The Climate Group chief executive Mark Kenber said that he hoped China Redesign will help Chinese cities take the crucial leadership on climate change required.
“This is where the Clean Revolution will be won or lost,” he said.
The results of the three year programme will be published and shared so that the strategies and projects can be replicated by further cities in China and other developing economies, said The Climate Group.
Some supporting partners involved in this programme include China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP), Cisco, GE, and Philips.
The group’s director for greater china Changhua Wu noted that the next five years will be critical for China’s development.
“We will explore integrated solutions that support low-carbon urban growth through this platform.”
